Discipleship involves Jesus’ likeness, learning from Him, and becoming more like Him daily. It involves cultivating a personal relationship with God, studying the Scripture, praying, and participating in the community of believers.
Disciples receive instruction, teaching, and guidance from their mentor or teacher, a more experienced believer or spiritual leader. They learn from their disciple’s example, experience and teachings, and seek to emulate his/her way of life, even as the leader.
Apostleship Defined
‘Apostleship’ refers to a specific role within the early Christian community. The term “apostle” derives from the Greek word “apostolos,” meaning “one who is sent out.” Apostleship is a narrower role that applies to a few called and commissioned by Jesus for a specific mission of spreading the Gospel.
God called them to carry out His mandate to a specific people. Apostles are chosen and sent directly by Jesus. They receive direct authority and commissioning from Him to carry out specific tasks and fulfil their apostolic mission.
Comparison
Discipleship and apostleship are very important factors that all Christians must have comprehensive knowledge of. It is expected that one who is a disciple has been well equipped for the task of apostleship; hence, discipleship lays the foundation for the ministry of apostleship.
Duties and Attributes
It is important to note that every Christian is a disciple, but not every Christian is an apostle. However, there are qualities expected of a disciple which every woman, lady, girl, and child who will be so addressed must possess:
(1) Spiritual gifts to edify others.
(2) A life of praise and thanksgiving.
(3) Love others and live in unity.
(4) Relationship with people, especially in fellowship with other believers.
(5) Generosity with time, talents and treasures with others.
6) Cooperation and not conspiracy with people.
(7) Forgiveness.
(8) Dependence on Jesus and not on man or self.
(9) Discipline in words, actions and reactions to issues.(6
(10) Wisdom to handle matters.
(11) Teachable spirit.
(12) Contentment.
(13) Perseverance.
(14) Accountability.
(15) Faith.
(16) Women Disciples in the Bible
Some Disciples in the Bible
The Bible mentions several women who were disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. These women played significant roles in supporting Jesus’ ministry, demonstrating their devotion, and bearing witness to His teachings and miracles. Here are some notable women disciples mentioned in the Bible:
- Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)
- Joanna (Luke 8:3)
- Susanna (Luke 8:3)
- Salome (Matthew 27:56)
- Mary, the mother of us (John 19:26-27)
- Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
- The Samaritan Woman (John 4:28-29, 42)
- Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)
- Dorcas (Acts 9:36)
- Priscilla (Acts 18:26)
Discipleship and apostleship
The sum of entering into newness through discipleship and apostleship among people is captured in seven parts of a wheel.
A Disciple’s Heart
Disciplined people are committed to the teachings of Jesus. They have no higher allegiance to God. They have no preferred ministry model to the pattern that Jesus established.
A Disciple’s Hand
Discipled people have a disciple’s hand. They are ready to labour for the cause of the ministry. They are not lily-livered. They refuse to back away from the ministry because it is night. The prospect of danger does not terrify them.
A Disciple’s Handiness
Deacons have a sense of handiness. They are adroit. They possess the capacity or develop one so they can help. They demonstrate shrewdness, strength, and skill in holding ropes.
A Disciple’s Harmony
Discipled people recognise the importance of harmony. Harmony is the congruence between people and the pastor in the Church they serve. They believe they share a common destiny, desire, and destination. They work with others, relate with others, and interact with others to ensure healthiness.
A Disciple’s Hope
Discipled people care about the present but care a lot about the future. They may know the value of the pastor they work with, but they project a potential beyond the reality that they are undergirding. They care enough about the possibilities of the pastor to help him.
Fellowship and Bible Characters
Followership is a great concept that everybody must adopt because great people follow great leaders well before they lead well. There is only one leader who does not follow, and that is GOD ALMIGHTY. However, terrible things happen when people blindly follow a leader. We must not be “sheepish”, i.e. foolish or easily led by others anyhow.
What is followership?
Followership is the act, capacity, willingness and behaviours to follow a leader or leaders
What is true followership?
It is the ability to accomplish goals under a leader’s direction.
Who are God’s followers?
Those who are called, chosen and faithful {Revelation 17:14}
What Makes a Good Follower?
- Self-denial Mat 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23
- Proclaiming Christ’s attitude 1Tm 4:6
- Accept persecution with joy 2Tm 3:12
- Humility and Submissiveness Col 3:12, Proverbs 22:4
- Cheerful giver {every resource at our disposal….time, spiritual gift, money, wisdom, &others {John 3:27}
- Commitment….a successful follower buys into the leader’s vision, and this overcomes the egocentric drive to be the leader by force.(Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
7. Understanding
Both physically and spiritually, unlike Moses, who was raised as royalty, Joshua started as a slave in Egypt and came from a long line of slaves. He was born in the tribe of Ephraim, making him a descendant of Joseph. Eventually, Joshua would be leading a nation of slaves.
Question
Why is Jesus’s response to Peter like this? John 13:36, 2 Sam 6:3-8(Uzzah & the Ark of the Covenant)
8. Faithfulness
Don’t expect God to make you a lighthouse somewhere else if you can’t be a candle where you are. Joshua spent almost 40 years faithfully and loyally following and serving as Moses’s assistant. (Numbers 27:18).
9. Satisfaction
Contentment should be our lifestyle 1 Timothy 3:8
10. Symbolism
Deacons, like Pastors, are standard bearers. They uphold theoretical principles and interpret them in practice. (1 Timothy 3:10-12)
Examples of Bible Characters on Followership
JOSHUA: Joshua followed Moses for 40 years and then led the people of Israel to the promised land (Exodus 24:13)
Facts about Moses and Joshua
Moses confided in Joshua and entrusted the leadership of the army to Joshua (Exodus 17:9-13)
Moses and Joshua went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:13-18)
Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan, but only Joshua & Caleb brought the good news, and God eventually used Joshua to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land
ELISHA: Elisha worked with Elijah for 10 years before his manifestation
Facts about Elijah & Elisha
The friendship of Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:2-6)
The lives of Elijah and Elisha remind us of the power of God in individual life
Apostle Peter
Peter followed Jesus Christ for just 3 years, and after His crucifixion, became a leader of the new Christian faith (Mathew 16:18).
Practical lessons from Jesus & Peter’s relationship
Boldness is a sign you’re close to Jesus……..Mathew 14:30-33
Peter has a big or large heart……and that’s probably what makes Jesus pull this disciple into His inner circle.
Jesus is always at work redeeming and restoring us (Mathew 16:69-75)
Jesus never gave up on a flawed Peter, and He won’t give up on you either.
OBADIAH: King Ahab’s palace Administrator and also a high official in King Ahab’s court. Obadiah 1 kings 18:3-14
Benefits of Good Followership
- Never abandoned Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 56:3
- Strengthen cordial relationship with God and man
- Improves efficiency and productivity.
Dangers of Bad Followership
Luke 14:25-35
- Restriction on Open Heaven
- Pray for God’s blessing on members and leaders
- Retard church growth and development
Conclusively, good and faithful followers become great leaders. You can read more related posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.
